Pretending

His name was Levin. Raised by a father who worked as a policeman was not easy. He should obey to strict rules since he could remember. When his child self accidentally broke the rule, he would be punished. His father even has a stick that was used specifically to 'discipline' him. His gentle mother usually couldn't do anything seeing her only child beaten to bleed. She could only hold her tears seeing Levin cried and beg for father's forgiveness. But to no avail.

After the beaten, the mother would gently put ointment on the child Levin. His feet and back were full with bruises. After that, she would accompany Levin to sleep. However, Levin never knew after he asleep, his dear mother would cry in bathroom. She often blamed herself for having no power to save her son from his own father.

In the end, the mother couldn't take it anymore, and ended her life when Levin was 10.

Young Levin trembled in fear seeing his mother was lifted from the bathtub. The water was red. He was so shocked that no tears fell down.

He hasn't shed tears since then. Or, he just couldn't. He continued his life like a mannequin.

He felt abandoned by his only protector.

Levin's father apparently realize his fault. The old man slowly changed his behavior. But Alas! It was too late. The robot-like son now lost any interest of life itself. Levin only nodded his head to any suggestions that his father made. He even stopped speaking to his father.

The father started to afraid to lost his son, too. Levin was the only one he has on this world. But now, everything was too late.

<What a sad backstory> Rei lamented.

<Have I met his father before?> Rei trying to dig in his memory.

<No, not yet. The previous owner spent most of his time seducing the MC that he got no time to make their relationship step further.>

<Too bad. I should have gain his father's trust to have upper hand. My task is to kill the top brass, anyway.>

<Does Host want to open the option of turned back of time in the story line?>

<I have that option?> It piqued Rei's interest.

<Yes, but with terms and condition.>

<And they are?>

<First, Host can only use it once in each story line. Second, the time limit of killing the target would be shorten based on the months passed in the past timeline. One month equal to one day time limit.>

Rei nodded his head.

<Understandable. Please take me back to when Levin started to have feeling to me.>

<If host said so.>

In a blink of eyes, the scenery has changed. Before, he just laying around in his warm room before bed time, and now he was drenched from head to toes do to the heavy pouring. He was standing outside Levin's house!

Hurriedly he run towards the porche. He tried to open the door, but it was locked.

<Hey System, can't you send me into a dry and warm place instead?>

<I'm sorry, Host. I cannot predict when or where you would be sent>

<And you just told me now? What if you sent me in the middle of busy road? Or before the cliff? I could have been died before doing anything!>

Rei still arguing with the System when he heard a car engine near the house. He glanced at the car and saw the young police hurriedly get off the car and approached him.

<He forgot his umbrella>

The young police with wet police attire stood before him.

"What do you think you are doing? You'll get sick! How long have you waited?"

Levin suddenly felt an emotion aroused within himself. He still cannot decipher what it was. Was it anger? Worried? It was long since he felt any emotion.

Rei shut his trembling mouth. Yes, it started to feel cold.

Levin unlocked the door and opened it. Then he pulled the wet young man into the warm house. The floor was swamped with puddle of water.

"Wait here." Levin then walked towards the nearest shelves and took a towel. He then returned to his spot beside Rei and throwed the towel on his head.

"You can use that bathroom." He pointed at the door in the living room.

"I'll look for clean clothes for you."

After watching Rei walked towards the bathroom, Levin removed his wet t-shirt and went upstairs topless. His abdomen muscles were apparent.

Levin went upstairs and started rummaging his wardrobes. After finding what he needed, he descended the stairs and walked towards the bathroom that was occupied by Rei.

Knock knock

"Here's your clothes."

The door unlocked and opened in a small gap. The shower steam exited through the gap. A white hand reached out. Levin looked at that hand for a while then put the clothes on it.

Then the door clicked close.

Levin combed his wet hair using his hand and shook his head. He then went back to his room to take a bath in the bathroom there.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"You've finished?" Levin was sitting on the couch when Rei got out of the bathroom. The clothes he wore was too big and reached Rei's knees. The shorts was nearly covered by it.

Rein nodded his head.

"Here" Levin lifted a hot cocoa. Rei obediently walked towards Levin and accepted the warm glass. The pitter patter was still heard from the outside.

Rei sat beside the young policeman.

"After the rain stopped, you should go home. Do not follow me around anymore."

Rei bowed and stared at his glass of hot cocoa.

"Why do you despise me so? I just want to be a friend."

"I don't need a friend." Levin answered harshly.

"I could help you."

"And what help would I need from you?"

"I can cook..." Rei then remembered he can't cook.

".... instant noodle." He continued.

Levin snorted.

"And why would I want to eat instant noodle when I can prepare main dishes my self?"

"You can cook?" Rei looked doubtful.

"I'll show you."

They then walked to the kitchen, and like a professional chef, Levin showed his cooking skills. Rei awed.

"Thank you for the food."

They have finished the full dishes within half an hour.

"It's really delicious. You've got a talent."

Being complimented, Levin just laughed it off.

"Then, may I have free dinner everyday?" Rei shamelessly requested.

Levin cannot hide his amusement and chuckled.

"Do whatever you want."

Then, started from that day off, Rei was welcomed to the house. Rei often had free dinners there. He would always come at 7 o'clock, in which Levin usually has got home from the work.

And Levin started to like the company.

Levin began to feel like human. With this spoiled kid that kept on following him and demanding his attention, it felt like keeping a pet that he never been allowed.

Counting from the first time Rei transferred into the past time line, 3 months has passed briskly. Rei started to feel anxious. There's still no improvement in their relationship.

"What do you think about dating me?" Rei asked one night, when they were having dinner together like they used to.

"Why?" Levin asked.

"Don't you think it would be nice? I could also help you sorting your documents." Rei referred to Levin's sleepless nights doing his works.

"Two people could make the works finish faster, don't you think?" Rei persuaded him.

"Don't need." Levin refused flatly.

"Then what about like this, we do pretend dating?"

"And why is that?"

"I.. I like your food. So, I could have free meals every day."

Levin raised his eyebrow.

"And what advantage would have come to me from doing so?"

"I could clean. Yes, I could also wash, and basically be your helper."

"Then you plan to be my servant?"

<Host, you've become degraded>

<Shut up. I'm trying my best here>

"Okay then."

Rei stared at the young man in front of him in surprised.

"You agree?"

"You should come every morning and do the cleaning, then wait for me getting home to have dinner together."

"You cannot back on your words now." Rei beaming.

<Host, why I feel like you are just being used?>

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